Robert Heinlein (1907-1988)

Robert Anson Heinlein was an American science fiction author, engineer, and naval officer. Sometimes called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was among the first to emphasize scientific accuracy in his fiction and was thus a pioneer of the subgenre of hard science fiction. His published works, both fiction and non-fiction, express admiration for competence and emphasize the value of critical thinking. His plots often presented provocative situations which challenged conventional social mores. His work continues to have an influence on the science fiction genre and on modern culture more generally.

Quotes

Of course the game is rigged. Don't let that stop you--if you don't play, you can't win.
The supreme irony of life is that hardly anyone gets out of it alive.

Life
Anyone who clings to the historically untrue - and thoroughly immoral - doctrine that violence never settles anything I would advise to conjure up the ghosts of Napoleon Bonaparte and the duke of Wellington and let them debate it. The ghost of Hitler would referee. Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. Breeds that forgot this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and there freedoms.
Theology is never any help; it is searching in a dark cellar at midnight for a black cat that isn't there. Theologians can persuade themselves of anything.
The most ridiculous concept ever perpetrated by Homo Sapiens is that the Lord God of Creation, Shaper and Ruler of the Universes, wants the sacharrine adoration of his creations, that he can be persuaded by their prayers, and becomes petulant if he does not recieve this flattery. Yet this ridiculous notion, without one real shred of evidence to bolster it, has gone on to found one of the oldest, largest and least productive industries in history.

Anti-Religion, Prayer
Sex without love is merely healthy exercise.
Sin lies only in hurting other people unnecessarily. All other 'sins' are invented nonsense.

Morality
Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.

Animals
Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.

Writing
Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something.